County officials in Arkansas file appeals in Duggar lawsuit

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Three county officials in Arkansas have filed appeals after a federal judge refused to dismiss them from a lawsuit that alleges they improperly released information about an investigation of Josh Duggar abusing four of his sisters.

The lawsuit names Springdale Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley, Springdale City Attorney Ernest Cate and Maj. Rick Hoyt of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and alleges they released redacted police investigation documents to a celebrity magazine.

The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that U.S. District Judge Tim Brooks dismissed the request, saying the sisters had a reasonable expectation the information wouldn't be released to the public.

The officials are asking for the case to be put on hold until the appeals court rules. The Duggar family was on the TLC reality show "19 Kids and Counting.".